Mumbai's CBSE toppers better last year's high scores

Principals of schools across the city say that while the overall pass percentage this year is the same as last year’s, toppers have scored higher this year

The Std XII results for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) were announced for the Chennai region (under which Maharashtra falls) yesterday at around 12.30 pm.

Commerce topper Sonakshi Gupta is congratulated by her parents Mala and Alok Gupta. She scored 98.2 per cent

At 93.51 per cent, the overall pass percentage of schools is quite similar to that of last year’s 93.9 per cent. But principals claim that high scorers have performed better than their predecessors did in 2013.

ND Joshi, principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Powai, said, “In terms of the overall results, it is pretty much the same, but the topper’s scores this year have drastically improved.

Mathematics was a spoiler, with grades being affected due to this particular subject.” Since the Board has stopped announcing the names of toppers, schools were doing so on an individual level and many stated that individual scores of students have gone up this year.

Deepshika Srivastav, principal of Rajhans Vidyalaya in Andheri, said, “We have secured 100 per cent results this year as well, something that has become a constant trend for our institution.

The results are almost similar as compared to last year, but our topper’s scores have improved.” Rakesh Joshi, principal Apeejay School, Nerul, said that approximately 44 per cent of his students have scored more than 90 per cent marks.

CBSE frequently introduces changes to the exam pattern, but schools were happy to note that these changes have not affected the overall performance of students. “Our results validate the work we do.

The CBSE board is constantly challenging us to push the envelope with Problem Solving assessment (PSA), Open Test based assessment (OTBA) and we have met the ever-increasing expectations. The new approach has helped students cope better with these new changes,” said Avnita Bir, principal of R N Podar High School in Santacruz.

Wall of fame

Nishant Boranwal, Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Powai topper who scored 97.8 per cent from the science stream, said, “ It was because of my parents’ persistent efforts that I managed to score so well. I want to pursue engineering in Computer Science from IIT Mumbai.”

Commerce topper from RN Podar, Sonakshi Gupta, who secured 98.2 per cent said, “I feel great at the moment. I wish to thank my teachers, parents and my brother for supporting me throughout. I believe the quality of what one studies is more important than the quantity. So it’s not the number of hours one studies that is important, but the topics covered within that time span. I wish to pursue a career in Chartered Accountancy.”

Niti Vyas, Humanities topper from RN Podar School, Santacruz, with 92.2 per cent said, “I am elated. My hard work has finally paid off. The trick here is to keep pace with what is being taught in school and revise it on a regular basis. My teachers and parents were really supportive. I wish to take up Law as a career.” Her mother Neha joined in the celebrations.

Rishi Vanukuru, topper from the Science stream from Apeejay School Nerul with 97.8 per cent, said, “The initial two months before the exams are really crucial, I put in all my hard work during this span. I scored a 100/100 in Maths, which is my favourite subject. I wish to pursue Mechanical Engineering and have appeared for JEE as well.”